Once a Hero

In the vision, a young man sat in front of a bonfire with his friends. He wore a cloak with the insignia of an eye. He chuckled, and his long hair flowed with the wind. He smiled and enjoyed his time with his friends.

After a long battle, he and his friends were celebrating.

A woman approached him and congratulated his work on the field. It was Julia, Zombie Queen before she became a zombie. She noted that it was the first time she had seen someone like him. She added that he was a hero.

The cloaked figure nodded and thanked her for the compliment.

Julia asked for his name.

The young man introduced himself as The Exalted One.

Julia questioned if he really was The Exalted One that everyone was talking about.

The Exalted One confirmed that it was him. He asserted that he had to live up to his name.

Julia was surprised, and she blurted out that she had never met someone with a title such as his.

The Exalted One remarked that he did not know her name, and he asked for her name.

Julia introduced herself and explained that she was a new member.

The Exalted One understood and stared at her in silence.

A friend questioned what he thought of their newest member.

Another member intervened that there was someone listening in. He had a raspy old voice, and he inquired if The Exalted One could sense it, too.

The Exalted One nodded and muttered that it was the three brothers. He stared at Julia.

Julia and the group were confused.

The Exalted One assured them that it was nothing to worry about. He asked Julia to take a walk with him.

As The Exalted One and Julia walked away from the campfire, the members of the group talked among themselves.

The Exalted One revealed that he could see the fates of others. He divulged that he had seen a dark future for her.

Julia joked and asked if he was some sort of prophet.

The Exalted One shrugged and replied that he did not know. He explained that he started seeing visions after he murdered his first person. He motioned that he did not feel like a good person after it, yet he had the urgency to do it again.

Julia raised an eyebrow.

The Exalted One elaborated that he was not the same person after each time, and it took a toll on him. He reminisced his first vision. It was him, his brother, and his mother. They were at their home where everything was peaceful and beautiful. He was so innocent and pure back then.

Unfortunately, a stranger appeared and burned their home, killing his mother. 

Julia interjected and reassured him that he was a hero to the world, and his deeds were noble. She noted that he was not a cruel killer. She giggled and commented that he was interesting. She was glad to have met him.

The Exalted One nodded and commented that he downplayed it by considering himself more of an author, as many of their kind. He held a book titled, "Beyond the Outside World." He suggested for her to write a journal or diary.

Julia scratched her head and stuttered that she would think about it. Curious, she questioned what else he saw in her future.

The Exalted One promised that her hardest task would eventually end in a magnificent way, and it would be the start of a new beginning for the world.

Julia remarked that she would be looking forward to it.

The Exalted One smiled and urged her to be careful. He advised her to not trust the organization or himself fully.

Julia raised an eyebrow and asked what he meant. She reminded him that he was a member, as well.

The Exalted One warned that her fate would lead her to a dark path, and she would not return. He stopped and glared at his bloody hands.

The Exalted One pondered for a moment. He would have never imagined the path he would take in his life. He was just a young boy back then, but now, he was a murderer. He could have lived his entire life in peace and harmony, but it was taken away from him.

What would happen if it occurred again to someone else? Would he stop it?

The Exalted One deeply gazed into the eyes of Julia and muttered that he could see it. He hoped that they would stay good people. His long hair flowed in the wind.

In the process of the vision, images of their house burning flashed in the minds of the three brothers.

Suddenly, the three brothers saw the face of Mother and Father.

The foster parents were crying tears. They were engulfed by a black fire.

The cloaked figures watched with calmness. One of them was The Exalted One.

Then, the three brothers saw the faces of Marcus and Hubert.

Marcus and Hubert were in a dark room, and they glared at each other.

General Bobby watched from the sidelines. He muttered that they were supposed to be the Three Legendary Heroes. He looked down in disappointment. A voice echoed, and he looked around.

The three brothers were astonished to hear a familiar voice.

General Bobby was confounded.

It was The Exalted One. The Exalted One questioned what made someone a hero.

Was saving the world all it took? Was it about being the strongest? Did they have to be perfect?

The Exalted One sighed.

General Bobby listened in silence.

Marcus and Hubert turned to them.

The Exalted One asserted that it was a shame that the Three Legendary Heroes turned out to be the greatest failures in history. He continued that even so, they were chosen by the people.

Hubert looked down and lamented that they lost their chance to become heroes.

Marcus added that they could have prevented a lot of deaths.

Was redemption with the dead possible?

The Exalted One shook his head, but he claimed that the three brothers were not like them. He announced that the three brothers could be true heroes.

General Bobby, Hubert, and Marcus were puzzled.

General Bobby furrowed his eyebrows and inquired who the three brothers were.

Marcus asked how he knew them.

Hubert pondered if the three brothers were the kids that he saved from the battlefield.

The Exalted One did not respond. Instead, he looked into the empty space.

The vision ended.